Los Angeles Dodgers Report Card: NL’s best record and room for improvement

Los Angeles Dodgers' A.J. Ellis is mobbed by teammates after a game winning sac fly ball as Adrian Gonzalez (not pictured) scores the winning run in the ninth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the San Diego Padres 1-0 during a Major league baseball game on Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Los Angeles.
(Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News)

When grading the Dodgers’ first half of the season, money matters. This is the most expensive team in baseball history with an opening-day payroll north of $235 million, according to the Associated Press. It has to sting to see the small-market Oakland A’s (opening-day payroll: $83.4 million, per AP) with the major leagues’ best record at 59-36.

Perspective matters, too. The Dodgers, at 54-43, have the National League’s best record by a half-game over Milwaukee. The pessimist notes the Dodgers are on pace for 90 wins — wild-card worthy in a typical year — but the optimist notes the Dodgers are the only club on pace for 90 wins in a mediocre National League.

Dodger problems, it seems, aren’t bad problems to have.

OFFENSE: A-

The Dodgers are a top-three team in the NL in terms of runs, batting average and OPS. They’re first in all of those categories when playing away from their pitcher-friendly home park. You can cherry-pick the individual shortcomings, many of which are fair. Matt Kemp’s power stroke isn’t quite back; Andre Ethier and Adrian Gonzalez aren’t hitting for average and Hanley Ramirez can’t stay healthy. Dee Gordon and Yasiel Puig seem to be the only consistent spark plugs, but they’re All-Stars surrounded by four dangerous bats on most nights.

STARTING PITCHING: A-

When General Manager Ned Colletti signed Dan Haren last winter, he knew what he was getting: a fifth starter whose ERA has dropped by more than a full run after the All-Star break the last two seasons. True to form, Haren is 8-6 with a 4.23 ERA and the Dodgers’ top four starters are a combined 36-17 with a 2.57 ERA. Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu arguably are the top trio in the National League. A rejuvenated Josh Beckett has been a pleasant surprise. The Dodgers’ system isn’t teeming with immediate help and the trade market isn’t likely to alter their projected playoff rotation, either. No biggie. The Dodgers might not encounter a better starting staff until the World Series.

RELIEF PITCHING: C

Kenley Jansen is owning the ninth inning as expected (27 saves in 30 chances) and J.P. Howell (2.57 FIP) is perfect as a situational left-hander. That’s the good. The bad is more subtle. Brandon League, Brian Wilson (4.67 FIP) and Chris Perez (5.17) have spent most of their careers as closers. This year, they’ve been in the novel position of pitching in mostly low-leverage situations. Only League has adapted well. Does Colletti trade Wilson and/or Perez or wait for the veterans to come around? A trade might require the Dodgers to eat salary, but the patient route might be more costly.

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DEFENSE: C-

Considering the pitchers’ strikeout rate (22.6 percent, best in the NL) and Gonzalez’s vacuum of a glove at first base, the Dodgers can get away with more mistakes than most teams in the field. Good thing, too. Ramirez’s glove has become a major liability at shortstop and center field has become a revolving door of below-average defenders. If the Dodgers can thrive despite their defensive shortcomings — say, by winning the World Series, say — maybe Ramirez stays as shortstop through October and beyond. Same for Kemp, Ethier and/or Scott Van Slyke in center field. Otherwise, forging a short-term solution could be difficult.

MANAGER/COACHES: A-

Don Mattingly voluntarily accepted the “bad cop” role that comes with finding enough at-bats to satisfy five potential starting outfielders. The situation hasn’t combusted, which is a credit to him. It’s always easier for players to buy in when the team is winning. So far, so good. Even Puig has kept his nose clean and listened to his superiors. An inflexible roster with no true center fielders and ill-fitting bullpen parts isn’t the coaching staff’s fault. Juggling the lineup without getting results is, but Mattingly seems to have settled down in that regard.

INTANGIBLES: C

Two Octobers ago, when asked about possibly signing free-agent outfielder Torii Hunter, Mattingly cautioned against trying to force an All-Star into a reserve role. The Dodgers now are suffering the consequences. It’s hard for the veteran outfielders to lead when they’re fighting for playing time. Still, the players play for each other. That should count for something, even if the Dodgers are built to win on talent more than “grit.”